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Angie Martinez Leaves Emmis for Clear Channel

After more than 20 years as an on-air personality at the Emmis-owned Hot 97 in New York, one of the most fabled hip-hop radio stations in the country, Angie Martinez, 43, will join rival Clear Channel to host afternoons on Power 105.1 in New York and middays on 103.5 The Beat in Miami.

She announced the move in an Instagram post, which stated, “Life has to move forward. Everything has its time and everything ends.

“This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve ever had to make, but ultimately it is time to move on, to grow and to be challenged in new ways. Saying goodbye is always emotional and bittersweet, but I am extremely excited about the future,” she wrote before her final show for the station.

With more than 20 years of on-air experience, Martinez has become known for her world-class interviews with super-star guests including Bill and Hillary Clinton, Derek Jeter, Spike Lee, Jay Z, Beyoncé, Kanye West and Kim Kardashian, Usher, Mary J. Blige, Ne-Yo and Justin Bieber. Martinez also became known as a fervent supporter of hip-hop music and the local community, giving her perspective on the day's biggest new stories and events.

"Angie is the Queen of New York City radio ­ she is an incredible talent who continues to blaze trails and we are excited to have her join the team at Power 105.1 and The Beat in Miami," said Clear Channel Media & Entertainment svp programming Thea Mitchem. "Angie has a long, successful history and we look forward to expanding her distinctive style and compelling content to more of our listeners.""I want to thank, Thea Mitchem, Tom Poleman and Doc Wynter for this incredible opportunity," said Martinez. "I¹m excited to join Power 105.1 in New York and The Beat in Miami and expand my brand even further in the coming months."

Martinez got her first break at the age of 16, answering hot lines at Hot 97, meeting DJ Funkmaster Flex, who took her under his wing. She then hosted the Afternoon Drive weekdays alongside DJ Enuff.

She was encouraged to rap by KRS-One, releasing a pair of albums for Elektra, 2001’s Up Close and Personal and 2002’s Animal House, earning a BET Award nomination for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist in 2002. Her 1997 collaboration with Lil’ Kim, Missy Elliott, Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes and Da Brat on the “Ladies Night Remix” of the song “Not Tonight” on the Nothing to Lose soundtrack, earned them two Grammy Award nominations, including Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.

She also had small roles in independent hip-hop films such as Blood is Thicker Than Water and Paper Soldiers, before taking on a part in Brown Sugar alongside Taye Diggs, Queen Latifah and Sanaa Lathan.

In 2002, Martinez was hired as a judge on the second season of American Idol, but quit after a few days of auditions, citing discomfort with crushing the dreams of hopefuls.

She is represented by Mortar Media and Dan Shulman of Tavel & Shulman.